Senators Call on USGA to Move Women's Open from Trump Course

BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) -- The United States Golf Association is continuing its plan to hold the 2017 U.S. Women's Open at a New Jersey course owned by Donald Trump.

The USGA had no comment on a letter sent to it by three Democratic U.S. senators asked that the event be moved away from Trump National in Bedminster.

Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut, Edward Markey, of Massachusetts, and Bob Casey, of Pennsylvania, made the request in a letter sent Monday, asking USGA executive director Mike Davis to consider suspending further events at properties owned by the Republican presidential candidate because of what they describe as a "pattern of degrading and dehumanizing women" over decades.

The Trump Organization declined comment.

USGA spokeswoman Janeen Driscoll said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the organization's stance on Trump has not changed since it issued a statement a couple of months ago.

At the time, the USGA said the Trump has made some remarks during his presidential campaign that are at odds with its belief that golf should be welcoming and inclusive for all. The organization has reiterated for more than a year that it does not share his views, and that is still true, the statement read.

With the tournament less than a year away, the USGA said its focus is to conduct an excellent championship for the players, the spectators, the fans, and the volunteers.

"Our position hasn't changed since that time" Driscoll wrote. "Beyond that, we simply will not comment on politics."

Trump was recorded in a 2005 video using vulgar language and apparently boasting of sexual assault. He has been accused of unwanted sexual advances by a group of women this month. He has called them liars and threatened to sue.

Bob Menendez, of New Jersey, joined the other senators Tuesday in calling for the event to be moved, but only if the tournament stays in the state.

Menendez says he doesn't agree with penalizing people in New Jersey who depend on the jobs that come from hosting the event.